I genuinely appreciate the fact that you have used one. Most critics have perhaps seen one. I am fortunate to have an extensive gun room with what most would consider contains some rather well made rifles of one form or another. That gun room contains several doubles as well.
However, I simply can not come up with a better solution for hunting Africa (or anywhere else that requires a plane ride) than a R8. The multiple barrels are of some interest, but the rifle's transportability, accuracy, ergonomics, and trigger are better than any other production rifle of which I am aware. That is what interests me. That doesn't mean that I won't take another rifle (see below) - but none of them are a better solution.
For instance, I love my .318 Westley Richards takedown, the sale of which would underwrite several R8's. Ergonomics are very good and transportability is superb. Trigger - after much work is acceptable, and accuracy is ok. By any reasonable standards other than nostalgia and craftmanship, it is not nearly the rifle of a basic R8. My Libhart .404 is a modern masterpiece. I have yet to bring it to Africa because I can't improve upon the sheer utility of a R8 in .375.
I keep hearing about these PHs who don't care for the Blaser. I have yet to meet one. Those who have handled mine, have been impressed. They will certainly have found no issue with its performance on game.
I am heading out to Zambia tomorrow with a Rigby in .275. I love the rifle, and we will use it on an assortment of PG. It will perform superbly. But, my R8 with .300 Win Mag barrel attached would do everything just a tad better.
